Learning what 10 acres in the foothills of East Tennessee has to teach as I trudge clumsily back to the land.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Happy Labor Day, Mr. Spider

Trying to find some work being done on Labor Day in Deerfield led me to a neighbor's gazebo where a large spider was hard at work on his web and then with preparing lunch. This eight-legged beauty is an argiope aurantia, commonly known as the Black and Yellow Garden Spider, according to Wikipedia.

The male of the species shows off by doing a bold zig-zag pattern on the web. Typical male behavior, I say. ('Nita, can your new machine do that stitch?)

My young neighbor, Angela, who never met a bug she didn't like, offered the spider a treat by placing a dead carpenter bee in the web. Mr. Spider immediately began to wrap it up for a big Labor Day feast. The bee was almost as big as the spider eating it.

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About Me

After a career in newspapers and living in suburbs and cities all of our lives, my wife and I moved to a heavily wooded 10 acres in the Deerfield community of Louisville, Tennessee. We eagerly learn what this 10 acres has to teach.

Enlightenment

Barn Rules

If you unlock it, lock it back.If you open it, close it.If you borrow it, return it.If you don't know, ask.If you drive it, check the oil.If you lose it, replace it.If it doesn't concern you, don't mess with it.If you turn it on, turn it off.If you break it, fix it.If you move it, put it back.If you throw it down, pick it up.If you ride it, feed it.If it drinks water, give it some.If you fall off, get back on.